Crystallization and cooling conditions for diogenite formation in the turbulent magma ocean of asteroid 4 Vesta

Abstract

Despite its small size, the asteroid 4 Vesta has been completely differentiated to core and mantle. Its composition is similar to howardite--eucrite--diogenite (HED) meteorites of which the detailed petrology is known. Therefore, Vesta is a good target for understanding the differentiation of terrestrial planets. A new differentiation model for crust formation has been developed by taking magma ocean fluid dynamics, chemical equilibrium, the presence of ${}^{26}$Al, and cooling into consideration with a special focus on crystal separation. The role of crystal size, thickness of the conductive lid, and fO${}_2$ are evaluated as parameters. The results show that large crystals of at least 1 cm settled and formed a kilometer-thick cumulate layer of orthopyroxene with Mg$\#$ of 0.70-0.90 in ~20 thousand years, which almost agrees with the Mg$\#$ of diogenites. Smaller grain sizes formed thinner layers.